Finding Solutions With Security

We must take immediate action to secure our borders and to fix our broken immigration system. The people of Texas demand results, not more broken promises from Washington.

Senator John Cornyn

As a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which handles immigration and border security issues, Sen. Cornyn is a leader on issues that affect the lives of Texans every day. He strongly believes that securing our southern border must be a top priority in dealing with our national security and our broken immigration system. Once we establish a secure border, Sen. Cornyn believes common-sense reforms are needed to improve legal immigration and increase legitimate trade and travel through our ports of entry.

Lead cosponsor of the Secure the Border First Act of 2015, which would enact a comprehensive strategy and sector-by-sector requirements for achieving operational control, persistent surveillance, and the prevention of illegal immigration on our nation’s borders. This legislation also includes tough penalties on the Department of Homeland Security for failing to secure the border.

Cosponsored the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act (S. 2146, 114th Congress), which would hold sanctuary cities accountable for defying federal immigration laws and increase penalties for individuals who illegally reenter the United States after being removed

Introduced and led efforts to pass the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which passed the Senate unanimously and was signed into law in 2015. This legislation cracks down on human trafficking and provides help for victims by creating new law enforcement tools to fight human traffickers and the criminal networks that support them.

Cosponsored and led efforts to pass the Transnational Drug Trafficking Act of 2015, which makes it illegal for anyone to make or distribute drugs knowing that they will be illegally exported to or near the United States. This bill became law on May 16, 2016.

Cosponsored and led efforts to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015, now law, to help reduce the flow of drugs entering the United States across our southern border by focusing resources to interdict these shipments and help stem the growing tide of illicit drugs entering the U.S. market.

Was one of the lead sponsors of the Remedies for Repatriation Refusal Act of 2016, known as “Casey’s Law,” to ensure that violent convicted criminals who illegally entered the U.S. are deported to their home countries and don’t remain in the United States and that the countries who refuse or delay the repatriation of their citizens are held accountable.

Sponsored the Requiring Enforcement, Security and safety while Upgrading Lawful Trade and travel Simultaneously (RESULTS) Amendment in the 113th Congress, which would provide resources, accountability, and boots on the ground to gain operational control of every sector of the Southern border, while improving our interior immigration enforcement system.

Introduced the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2015 to encourage public-private partnerships to boost staffing and make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry without adding to the deficit. It would give U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the authority to enter into innovative partnerships with local governments and private sector entities.

Introduced the Helping Unaccompanied Minors and Alleviating National Emergency (HUMANE) Act of 2014 to address the large number of unaccompanied minors in the United States. This bill would have required quick resolution on the claims of these minors and allow reimbursement for responding to humanitarian crises.

Filed an amicus brief with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Texas v. United States— supporting a continued injunction against President Obama’s executive overreach on immigration.